Vein Illumination: Newsletter, Volume 1

By: Mary Kobus Nurse Manager, RN, CNP, MSh 00, 000

What are the benefits?

Overview Luminetx® Vein Viewer™ Vs. AccuVein AV300
Vascular access has long
been one of, if not the most, The Vascular Illumination market currently
common procedure in health has two devices available, the Vein Viewer by
care. Every year there are Luminetx and the AV300 by AccuVein. Both
upwards of one billion1 devices provide the user with an illumination
venipunctures performed in of a patients vasculature, which allows the
the United States. As a long user to have sight of where they are going to
time nurse, I have experienced stick before they actually stick it.
first hand the difficulties and
stresses involved with vascular
access. Due to my experiences Vein Viewer AV300
with vein illumination, I have Size ~ 6 ft. 130 lbs 10 oz.5
become a huge proponent of Price ~$25,0002 $4,500
the technology. In my facility Calibration Required Yes No
we have seen an increase in
Power Supply 110 volt outlet Rechargable Battery
first attempt success rates in
Ease of Use Difficult- size Easy- Portability,
both easy and difficult patients
Point and Click use
which has led to a decrease
Image Display Takes picture of Real time image from
in unnecessary PICC lines
vasculature and infrared light and lazer
and an increase in patient
projects the image on
satisfaction. I have compiled to the skin
my findings along with other
Depth of Image up to 8mm3 up to 7mm6
research I have found in an
attempt to raise awareness for Accuracy of Image .06mm from original .04mm from original
position4 position7
what I feel is a great technology.

1. “...one billion...” Grable HO, Gill GW. Phlebotomy puncture juncture: preventing phlebotomy errors- potential for
harming patients. Laboratory Medicine. 2005; 36(7): 420-433
2. “Will the VeinViewer Make the Blind Stick A Historical Footnote?” Clinical Correlations. http://www.clinicalcorrela-
tions.org/?p=110
3. Ibid
4. “Diomed Announces Shipment of First VeinViewer Imaging Systems” Business Wire. Wed., May 3, 2006
5. www.accuvein.com
6. Information Gathered from AccuVein
7. Ibid
The Benefits of Vein Illumination
Increase First Attempt Success Rate
When evaluating Vein Illumination I found that increasing the success rate on first sticks was a factor that
drove all the other advantages of the technology. Based on my research the average number of attempts per
patient using the traditional method can range anywhere from 2.5 to 6 attempts in children.8 One study of
Vein Illumination technology found that using the traditional method on 48 patients their mean number of
attempts was 2.08, which was a first attempt success rate of 31%. When using the Vein Illumination technology
they saw the mean number of attempts fall to 1.18 and the first attempt success rate rise to 83%.9 Another
found similar results with their mean number of attempts falling from 1.97 to 1.28 and their first attempt
success rate rise from 49.3% to 80%.10 Moreover, at my facility we saw the mean number of attempts fall from
1.94 to 1.52 (this was mostly on difficult sticks) and the first attempt success rate raise from ~39% to ~ 76%.

Decrease Unnecessary PICC Lines

Cumulative Cost of Escalation
My facility, like most, has a 2 attempt rule. Meaning,
if I am unable to gain vascular access in my first two
PICC Line
attempts another nurse or doctor has to take over. $200-$850
Furthermore, if a peripheral IV is not achieved, more Nurse 2
Attempt 2
Nurse 2
highly trained staff and more costly procedures, Attempt 1
$128

such as PICC lines, are required. The graph to the Nurse 1

Attempt 2
$96

right shows how quickly these costs can add up. $64

Nurse 1
Attempt 1
$32
Increase Patient Satisfaction
In my opinion, this is the greatest benefit of vein
illumination technology. Press Ganey scores are a
factor that drives the success of numerous health care
facilities across the country. A study on this technology It is estimated that each attempt at
saw patient satisfaction scores rise from 1.85 (very a peripheral IV costs ~$32.
unsatisfied) to 4.07 (satisfied). Again, my facility saw
very comprable result rising from a 2.31 to a 4.17.

Conclusion
The benefits hat I have listed above are only a few of the many upsides to Vein Illumination Technology. Many of the
other benefits I did not touch on becasue they are too difficult to quanitfy; increased care giver confidence through
the ability to have sight for a procedure that has always been based on feel is one of these benefits. As I stated before, I
feel this is a technology that should be invested in, and should become a standard of care in the health care industry.

Contact information:
8 “Clinical Ops” Study done by Luminetx 2008
9 “Vein Viewer Data Trial” study done by SSM Cardinal Glennon Childrens Medical Center. 2008 AccuVein- 888-909-8888
10 “Wolfson Study: Innovative Technology Produces 80% First Stick Success Rate” 2008
Luminetx- 901-252-3700